Trending
Eclipse watch event planned
The Altoona Area Public Library will have a limited number of eclipse glasses available for viewing the Annular Solar Eclipse or Ring of Fire from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 14. Those viewing the eclipse from Altoona will likely see about 30% of the sun being obscured by the moon. Attendees must have a library card and there will be a strict limit of four pairs of glasses per person.
Other upcoming events at the library, 1600 Fifth Ave., Altoona, include the Boscov's Friends Helping Friends Shopping Pass fundraiser. The cost is a $5 donation, with all donations going directly to the library. The pass can be used at Boscov's from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 18 for 25% of that day's purchases. In addition, library patrons can register for a $100 Boscov's gift card.
-- In partnership with the Video Game Clubs of America, the library is hosting a gaming club from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays. From tabletop board games, card games, Nintendo Switch and more, each week will be something different.
-- A Knit-In will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. Beginners should bring size 8 needles, and some light colored yarn. This is a free adult program and help will be available for those who want to learn the craft.
-- Virtual reality for teens using the Oculus system will be held at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 4, and the Chess Club is held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays.
-- A new playgroup for children 3 years old and younger is designed to help parents/caregivers and children work together to meet the child's developmental goals. It is offered at 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Oct. 6 and is facilitated by an early childhood specialist and designed to provide fun activities to promote each child's language, problem-solving, motor skills and social interactions. Space is limited; registration is required. The topic for October is "Behavior."
-- Hispanic Heritage Month will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, in the library Youth Room as participants explore the holiday's history and culture with Larissa Clachar and Spanish education students from Saint Francis University. There will be snacks and the group will create molas, folk-art from Panama. This is a free program for children 4 years old and older. Call to register.
-- Teen STEAM Saturday will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 7 in the library theater. Augmented Reality with Reality Composer, by the Video Game Club of America, will be featured. Registration is required.
-- LEGO clubs will meet at 6 p.m. Oct. 9. The program is geared toward children ages 4 and older. Registration is required.
-- Homeschool Hub: Camouflage Costumes will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 12. Participants will learn about one of the ways animals costume themselves with camouflage. Registration is required.
-- Stories thru the Cosmos: Trickster Edition will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 12 in the theater. Watch the constellations be projected and hear their tales in celebration of Loki season 2. This is a free adult program. Registration is required.
-- Friends of the Library book club will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, in the library board room. The book for October is "Take My Hand" by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. Register by
Oct. 8 by emailing SarahAAPL@yahoo.com. Friends member forms can be found on the library website. Memberships are $10/year.
-- Pumpkin Spice Take and Make Craft Kits will be available Oct. 16, while supplies last. Kits will include everything needed to make a pumpkin spice pouch infuser for use in a favorite tea, cocoa or coffee. Library card is required.
-- Goblins & Ghosties & Bats, Oh My will be held at 3 p.m. Oct. 18 for teens, who will create spooky creatures using Perler beads. Registration is required.
-- David Baer, community health educator with AmeriHealth Caritas -- Pennsylvania, will speak during the Diabetes Management meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 19. Baer will discuss the basics of diabetes, current statistics, risk factors, steps to reduce risk factors and ways to effectively manage the disease. Management techniques, including healthy eating habits, medication adherence, physical activity and smoking cessation, will be discussed. This program is free; no registration needed.
-- Teens are invited to STEAM Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 21 in the theater for Cosplay with Recyclables (EGPA Event), hosted by the Video Game Club of America. Registration required.
-- Super Saturday -- Whodunit? Will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 21 for children ages 6 and older. Participants will unravel the clues and deduce the culprit. Costumes are welcome.
Registration is required.
-- The Shelf Indulgence Book Club will meet at 10 a.m. Oct. 21 in the library board room. Participants should bring a mug and enjoy a choice of coffee or tea. The book for October is "Wrong Place Wrong Time" by Gillian McAllister. Registration is required.
-- The Bookmark Bunch will meet at 6 p.m. Oct. 23. The interactive book club for students 7 years old and older is held on the fourth Monday of each month throughout the school year. Registration is required.
-- Day of the Dead: Sugar Skulls will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 24. Participants will learn about the Day of the Dead and design their own sugar skull to take home. This is a free adult program. Registration is required.
-- Jumpstart's "Read for the Record" is the world's largest shared reading experience. Library patrons are invited to read this year's selection "With Lots of Love" at 1 p.m. Oct. 26 and weave bookmarks afterward. Pre-registered families will receive their own copy to take home.
-- Teens are invited to make slime at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 26. Registration is required.
-- The library offers a variety of storytimes for children from 1 to 6 years of age. Visit the library's website or Facebook page for dates and times.
Fall book sale coming up
The Friends of the Altoona Area Public Library Fall Used Book Sale will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday,
Oct. 28. The $5 a bag sale will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30. For Friends members, the members' pre-sale will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. Kids who come on Thursday in costume will get a free book. There are no Sunday hours.
The book sale offers very affordable books of all kinds from adult fiction, children's books, bestsellers to classics, nonfiction such as travel, art, history, home repair, genealogy, health, science, crafts, language, and true crime books. The sale also includes puzzles, DVDs, CDs, AudioBooks, patterns, games and more. All money raised benefits the library.
Services expanded
Services have been expanded at the library's location in the Transportation Center. Table space has been added along with board games, puzzles, coloring pages and more. The Transportation Center is at 1231 11th Ave. and is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays.
For information on programs, how to get a library card and to register for events, call the library at 814-946-0417 or visit altoonalibrary.org.